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Jeff Horn Will Fight Manny Pacquaio In Australia's Biggest Ever Boxing Match

Strap in for April 23, fight fans.
Jeff Horn believes he can win.
Getty Images
Jeff Horn believes he can win.

The biggest boxing fight in Australia's history has been confirmed, with Aussie boxer Jeff Horn set to fight Filipino and reigning champion Manny Pacquiao in April.

The announcement was made at 2:30pm (AEDT) in Brisbane on Wednesday, with the fight set to be held on April 23.

The location is yet to be confirmed, but organisers are hopeful the fight will occur at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane -- calling for the Queensland Government's support. However, they do not secure funds and support in Brisbane the organisers will turn to other capital cities, and haven't ruled out the U.S. or the Middle East.

Horn, 28, remains undefeated after 17 professional fights and is the number two ranked boxer in the WBO. Pacquaio, 38, is the WBO welterweight champion after winning the title for the third time in November. He is also a senator in the Phillipines.

On Wednesday, Horn told reporters he'd grown up watching Pacquiao and knows his style well, but he's seen some weaknesses in the Filipino during recent fights.

"I've fought all over the world as an amateur and I've had a lot of fights against some top fighters as an amateur and pro. I've only had 17 fights and Pacquiao has had 67 but I think I've got the skills to win," Horn said in Brisbane.

"It's my time. I'm getting Pacquiao at the right moment."

The 28-year-old is confident he will win, but locking in the fight "has surpassed my dreams already".

Manny Pacquiao (R) defeated Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas in November, during their WBO welterweight championship fight.
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Manny Pacquiao (R) defeated Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas in November, during their WBO welterweight championship fight.

Horn's promoter, Duco Events director Dean Lonergan, reportedly met with boxing promoter Bob Arum in the U.S. to discuss the logistics of the fight, which will be the biggest fight in Australian boxing history.

Bob Arum has been wanting to take Pacquiao on a world tour before retirement, with Lonergan previously saying "Bob is out there talking about it and the more you see Horn mentioned, the more he'd start to firm as favourite."

In December, Horn, who is a former schoolteacher, won a huge fight against South African Ali Funeka in Aukland.

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